GERD is an individual problem

I have been researching acid relux/GERD for a couple years now.  At first I sought relief for a very sore esophagus.  The pain did not go away until my nurse practitioner suggested an over the counter acid reducer.  I continued to eat cakes and pastries and chocolates which of course aggravated the relux problem.  The other day I decided that the goodies weren't worth the pain they caused.  I needed to become proactive and do something.  Professionals agree that fat puts pressure on the stomach and causes reflux/GERD.  I decided to lose 25 pounds so that I will be a healthy weight.  I have to eliminate certain foods, delicious foods--chocolate, cakes, muffins, pastry, citrus fruits, spicy vegetables, flavored teas from my diet because  these foods cause pain.  I can enjoy unbreaded meat and fish, most vegetables, berries, cheese, milk and water.  I am adding strength training, yoga, riding and walking to my daily schedule.  My relux/GERD problem is unique to me and consequently so are the solutions.  For years I was searching for an easy solution but there isn't one.  I have to devise a plan that works for me, one step at a time.

Change Update

I was not bothered by heartburn as much yesterday. I took 2 antacid pills and throughout the course of the day and eve, 4 antacid tablets.  I do not want to take many antacid tablets as they contain dextrose and that brings other problems.  I will manage this heartburn.  I am grateful for the variety of foods that I can eat.  I am so happy that I can enjoy a couple cups of air-popped popcorn with a smidgeon of  butter as a treat.  I did act kindly, patiently and gently with my husband when I returned from work.  I felt a bit of concern because he couldn't remember the month of our cruise and had forgotten the plot of a movie that he had seen before.  And his mood seemed a bit depressed.  Perhaps we can go see the Mr. Rogers movie or go out to eat.   Last year was our first family reunion with all the children, their spouses, partners, grandchildren, grand dogs and adopted family members.  Fourteen of us enjoyed the beauty of Lake Huron.  Some family went golfing; others visited Mackinac Island.  This year's family reunion requires sandy dunes and Lake Michigan.  I checked out one State Park but there were only 2 sites available for the dates and the sites were not together.  So I made reservations for two sites together at a different State Park 26 miles south of the original. 

Changes

My 28 year old niece has a long list of foods that she cannot eat.  Two days ago, I joined her on a restrictive diet.  I am tired tired tired of daytime and nighttime heartburn, heartburn when I bend over and put on my shoes and socks, heartburn when I feel stressed.  I am taking control over this heartburn.  As soon as I can, I am going to participate in a yoga class to help me feel centered.  I will be proactive in my relationship with my spouse.  He is profoundly hard of hearing.  It is not his fault and I need to laugh at the misunderstandings.  I need to approach this relationship with gentleness, kindness and patience.  We need to do something special at least once a week so that he knows he is loved and appreciated.  I suspect that I inherited some social anxiety from my dad.  I try to draw close to people but then draw back out of fear.  I am grateful for work friends, church friends and my sister.

Things fell apart at home

I've been at a roadblock with training my mini pony because my teacher wanted me to take a positive reinforcement class.  One was offered last evening, so I enrolled and after work drove out to the farm.   The darkness challenged me.  I couldn't really see where to turn off the main road so passed the country road  and turned around and came back.  Then I drove slowly until I came to the farm drive.  The lesson began late because the owner of the farm felt terrible with an upper respiratory infection and my instructor had to take care of the horses first.  We worked on targeting which Dory did very well.  We tried prepping her for side stepping but she wasn't having that and reared.  We called it a night.  I drove home through the city stopping to buy a money order.  When I got home, my son was just leaving our house.  I stepped inside and could tell that my husband was upset.  I asked him what was wrong and he commented, "Too many animals and people."  Apparently he spent the afternoon letting the animals in and out.  And my son, daughter and two grandchildren were there for a bit.  I spoke with my son today and he said he could tell something was bothering his dad also.  We wonder if it is work.  My husband went back to work and drove five days this week, but he is  scheduled for only 2 days next week.  The lack of a consistent schedule could be bothering him and then his sad/bad mood is exacerbated by the dogs who won't settle, hunger (I don't think he eats well when he's at work), the commotion of my son, daughter and the babies.  I watched some basketball with him and we ate dinner.  I'm concerned because I have a four day trip planned for late February/early March.  I'm not sure my husband will do well if he is at home by himself.

Australian wildfires

My problems seem miniscule when compared to larger more serious world problems.  Australia is being ravished by wildfires.  People and animals have died.  Large areas of bushland has been destroyed.  I am grateful that 20 firefighters from California are flying to Australia on Monday.  And I hope that Australia gets just enough rain to extinguish the fires but not so much that the area floods.  And on the side of the world, there is the death of General Soleimani.  Tensions are already high between the Middle Eastern countries themselves and now between Washington and Iran.  The same president who defused the situation with the leader of North Korea is responsible for the extreme tension.  And the tension is exacerbated with social media.  This situation requires delicate handling.  So my little life concerns are piddling.  My husband and I are cleaning the basement.  He took a carload of donations to Kiwanis.  I washed some old blankets to take to the Humane Society.  I am washing some stuffed animals to donate to various charities.  I have to take some old family photos to the shop to be digitalized.  I have to research and find a place for old textbooks and binders.  My husband has to list some electronics on craigslist.   Small everyday tasks.